PLUMPJACK, Oakville, Napa

Established in 1995 by Gordon Getty and Gavin Newsom, PlumpJack Winery quickly became a Napa icon. This 42-acre estate on the Oakville Crossroad is in the heart of California’s most prestigious Cabernet appellation, considered some of the finest vineyard land in California. The facility where PlumpJack now makes wine was the original home of Villa Mt. Eden Winery, founded in 1881. The great wines produced at this estate in the '70s are legendary Napa Cabernets. Neighbours include Groth, Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Opus One, Rudd and Harlan. Aaron Miller is winemaker, taking over from Tony Biagi with the 2012 vintage. Aaron was previously at Groth, another of the iconic Napa wineries in our portfolio, and a mere stone's throw from PlumpJack, along the Oakville Crossroad.

Ten years on, PlumpJack G.M. John Conover joined Newsom and Getty in founding Cade Winery. The winery and vineyards were established on a virgin site at 1800 feet elevation on Howell Mountain. Of the estate’s 54 acres, 21 are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot. The vineyards have been farmed organically from the start and the winery itself was Napa’s first LEED Gold Certified estate winery — even the insulation is made from recycled blue jeans. Cade’s first vintage was 2006 and fruit for the Napa and Howell Mountain Cabs was sourced from select, prestigious vineyards. In 2007, Cade released their first vintage of ‘Estate’ Cabernet. With estate vineyards maturing, Cade’s Cabs will become ‘Estate’ and ‘Reserve’ designated. Winemaker is Danielle Cyrot. With experience in Alsace and Australia, she joined Cade from St. Clement winery. The goal here is structured, but accessible Howell Mountain Cab — which has a reputation for being iron-hard when young.

In 2014, the team introduced Odette Winery on the Silverado Trail in Napa’s Stags Leap District. The former Stelzner (est. 1965) vineyards, winery and caves have been completely refurbished. 45 acres of Cabernet and Merlot are organically farmed. Winemaker Jeff Owens, worked with Tony Biagi at PlumpJack since 2006, and almost had a heart attack when his first vintage of Odette Reserve Cab was awarded a 100 point score by Parker. The wines are intended to show classic Stags Leap velvet texture and bold yet elegant character.